🛍️ Hey, Retailist Roundup readers! As we head into the weekend, let’s catch up on the latest buzz in the world of retail and e-commerce!

News from Retailist

How Retail Brands Are Elevating the Customer Journey with Technology, Personalization and Affiliate Marketing

A report by McKinsey found 60-70% of consumers participate in omnichannel shopping by using multiple channels during their shopping journey, underscoring the need for seamless transitions between them.

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In the news: Top headlines this week

US holiday sales to grow up to 3.5% in 2024, NRF forecasts. The US National Retail Federation (NRF) has projected a 2.5% to 3.5% increase in 2024 winter holiday sales compared to 2023. This would bring total holiday spending to between $979.5 billion and $989 billion in November and December, up from $955.6 billion in the same period last year. [Reuters]

Temu told by EU to give info on steps it is taking against illegal product sales. In July, e-commerce giants Temu and Shein received formal Requests for Information (RFIs) regarding their compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The RFIs focused on several key areas: implementing mechanisms for users to report illegal products, ensuring that online interfaces are not deceptive or manipulative, and safeguarding children on their platforms. [Reuters]

How retailers can foster loyalty for Black Friday and beyond. According to a survey of 4,000 U.S. consumers by SAP Emarsys, half of U.S. shoppers plan to remain loyal to the companies they purchase from on Black Friday. The survey also found that tailored experiences enhance loyalty, with one in four consumers sticking with brands that provide personalized experiences and messaging based on their preferences. [Retail Dive]

What to know about holiday consumers this year. Throughout the year, despite the strain of inflation on their finances, consumers have consistently spent more than analysts anticipated, even on discretionary goods. As the holiday shopping season approaches—marked by increased discretionary spending—many consider it already underway. Analysts point to Amazon’s second Prime event, held last week, as the unofficial kickoff to the 2024 holiday shopping season. [Retail Dive]

Pharmacy deserts are appearing across U.S. as Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS drug store closures spread. New Lebanon, Ohio, a small town with a population of 3,756, lacks a pharmacy despite having several dollar stores, a grocery store, and other amenities. In October 2023, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy and announced the closure of 800 stores, including 180 in Ohio, mostly affecting small towns and Rust Belt cities. Rite Aid's store count has decreased from 2,111 at the time of the filing to 1,700, with plans to emerge from bankruptcy with around 1,300 locations. [CNBC]

Consumers hate paying for return shipping — it tops jury duty and the DMV in annoyance factor, report finds. While consumers enjoy online shopping, most dislike paying for shipping, especially return shipping. A September survey by GoDaddy of 1,500 adults found that 77% of shoppers check return policies before purchasing, and 30% said paying for return shipping is more frustrating than jury duty or visiting the DMV. Other reports confirm that return fees significantly influence customer satisfaction and loyalty. [CNBC]

Job Board: This week’s Top Openings in DTC, RetailTech, and more

Want to submit a role to our talent board? Email [email protected].

• Manager, Digital Strategy & Innovation (East Hanover, NJ) Mondelēz International - more here

• Director, Customer Operations Accounting (Phoenixville, PA) Comcast - more here

• Senior Manager, Business Operations (Boston, MA) Klaviyo- more here

• Customer Experience Manager (King of Prussia, PA) Brilliant Earth - more here

• Associate Key Account Manager (Hiring Remotely in Chicago, IL)

  Allwyn North America - more here

✈️ Upcoming Industry Events

• GROW LA Fall- October 2024

• Money 20/20 USA- October 2024

• ICSC - Retail Forward - October 2024

• Digital Summit Raleigh - November 2025

ABOUT RETAILIST

Retailist Magazine is an outlet focused on modern commerce as it relates to digital innovation. The publication examines our culture’s ever-evolving relationship with marketing, commerce and traditional retail. Our goal is to connect our audience to quality content and award programs for retail brands to tell their story of innovation.

These experts stand at the helm of their niche in retail and provide readers with real-time, trending insights to ensure you remain on the bleeding edge of commerce innovation. Contributing thought leaders include C-suite executives from Vistaprint, Hubspot, Wix, Printful, Global-e, Zapaygo, TradeGala, Birdie, Inurface Media, and more.